Jun 02 03:20:53 109 PA - Arcadia Falls, Arcadia Rises
From Chronicles
Jun 02 03:20:53 109 PA.
ARCADIA
Of all the means for travel at his disposal, Leonard arrives at Arcadia via one of his more mundane options. Namely, his jet pack. It isn't instantaneous, but the distance to the minute mining town is not great... and it sure beats walking.
Tek met up with Sithik and Alex at the landing strip in front of Uncommon Mechanics before loading up into the Land Rover and heading over to Arcadia. The trip being uneventful besides the long drive getting there. After unloading in the small mining town Tek heads out to find whoever is in charge.
Sithik spends the ride in the back of the Rover with his hunting companion spending most of the time in his lap napping. The tattooed hunter spend most of his time watching out the windows, still looking to get a better feel for this land and its terrain. Once at the small town, he and his companion tag along with Tek being he seems to know where he is going.
Taking a rare day off from the busy life of an on the road mechanic Alex decided for a little sightseeing. Tek's trip was ideal, since the robot had always wanted to visit the hamlet of Arcadia. But lacking navigational aids it feared not being able to find the small secluded location. So it followed Tek today, and made use of its superior speed to clearly mark trees en route so it might return more freely.
Arcadia used to be a pleasant town. The "urban" area contains about two-thousand souls living and working, though it is definitely the commercial center of the entire area. The area between Pilot Knob in the north, the Shepherd Mountain to the west, and the terminus of the Run in the east is home to roughly forty-five hundred beings of all types. Arcadia has numerous trading posts for miscellaneous goods brought in from the larger population centers, a few pleasant-looking pubs and a few places to eat. The "city hall" is little more than a building with the words, "City Hall" having been carved into a nice plaque hanging from the front eaves. Most of the people here who aren't actual business owners or residents, are miners coming in and out of their homes in the outlying areas, and Iron Mountain many miles to the north. This is a nice place to live, surrounded by thick trees. Of course, all strangers are told that it's best to stay out of the trees, unless you know where you're going. Apparently travel there is somehow supernaturally confusing, and with strange creatures as well. A number of mercenary companies sit around, just waiting for people who want to make the streaking travel down the Run toward The Junction. It's well laid out, surprising for a city that grew in pieces over time. Looking at the state of the lumber, stone and metal used in the buildings, this little town is quite old. Not that it hasn't benefited and been successful. Clearly over the last long months, the area has deteriorated, first under the onslaught of Coalition soldiers, and now having been under a continuous siege from monsters of unknown type. The people, even these hardy miners are becoming weary of having to both defend their land and work it at the same time. Perhaps this is why the Coalition has been able to establish a small yet significant presence within its boundaries.
Arrival into the Arcadia region is a dangerous event these days, particularly when that arrival is made in the deep morning hours with a high layer of clouds blocking out moonlight and starlight. Still, it's possible to get in through the muscle barrier that the miners and Coalition troops have been maintaining. It seems that the troubles of the town itself are a twenty-four hour event, as along many points surrounding the location there are small skirmishes happening, and the occasional large skirmish. The Coalition soldiers keep most of the creatures inside the treeline, and while the miners are not unarmed, their defenses are inadequate by themselves. The arrival of the people from Kingsdale is noted, particularly by the Coalition, who hurry over to the armored vehicle and giant flying robot for identification and an explanation of why they've arrived.
After landing, Leonard approaches the perimeter at the clustering point of where the others arrived. "I am here to offer assistance," he begins to simplify the questioning process, "As are they." He gestures to the others, most all of whom are known to him. "Gin did ask that I return with others to aid Arcadia."
Tek pauses as he is questioned by the man, "I am Tek of course. I am looking for the leader of the miners. What are you doing here?" Standing in front of the Rover Tek waits to see what the soldiers are going to do.
Sithik starts taking note of his surroundings soon as he leaves the truck. The coming of the soldiers has him prepared for trouble, though he makes no move to indicate hostility. Continuing to observe the surroundings as someone else takes care of the negotiations, diplomacy not being the hunter's strong point. Besides, he needs to keep his pet in check as it hisses in agitation at the quickly approaching soldiers. A sharp snap of his fingers enough to keep it at his side, the agitation clearly still evident in the way its tail flicks back and forth and ears lay flat. Not to mention the low rumble of a growl in its throat.
What a warm welcome the small town has. It's certainly taken Alex by surprise. Not literally, the machine isn’t letting any CS hands within reach. It doesn’t think any would have the security clearance to know of its existence and escape. But the robot isn’t taking the chance either.
As one of the soldiers addresses Leonard congenially enough, pointing him toward the town hall, another needs to face off against a belligerent new guy in armor. To his credit - actually, it sounds like a she - the response is only, "Keeping them alive. Please stay out of our way and keep your ego in check, sir. Move along." The people are motioned further inside, free to roam under the surveillance of both locals and Coalition. While tattoos and flying robots are interesting, no comment is made toward them.
Congeniality works both ways, for the moment. Leonard nods and continues on, gesturing once more to Tek and company. This time it is less indicative and more communicative as an invitation to accompany him. "Gin is at the town hall, Tek. Don't let the troops get under your skin. Their presence here is quite temporary." He then walks on towards the building that is the city seat only because the small sign states it to be.
Tek walks past the soldiers following Leonard into the interior of town to the make shift town hall, "Sounds good, I'm right behind you."
Sithik continues to follow assessing the situation of what he can see as he goes, making sure his pet remains close to his side. There will be no curious roaming for it today. Taking mental notes of the style of equipment the soldiers use and signs of how close in the battle has come into the main town areas.
A wave through with just a small second glance is fine with Alex. The robot continues on, actually at walking pace with the others to allow it to take in all the details on the small town.
The town's buildings, the hotel, the general store, the armory - everything has been damaged and run down since Arcadia's previous heyday only a few months before. It doesn't take long to reach town hall, though the two miners guarding the door with battered L-20s inform the group that Gin is busy elsewhere. Another of the Five, a man named Falijero is available at this hour. Down at the inn, apparently speaking with a group of mercenaries, trying to get them to help at a minimal cost. The Coalition troops are outfitted well. Just about everything that can be out of their new armories and styles is represented. Another troop out of Whykin.
"The joys of bureaucracy," Leonard chuckles in acknowledgment to the re-directive information. His course alters appropriately. "So, Tek, you -did- come to aid the town, yes?" He assumed as much, but now checks to be sure. "The attacks from the creatures are sporadic, but constant. I've still yet to determine their interest in the place, and their point of origin remains elusive." A moment is taken to look over the others who arrived. Sithik is familiar, but the other is not. "You're an acquaintance of Tek's, I presume?" is asked of the robotic one.
Tek nods to Leonard and responds after they are out of earshot of the soldiers, "I have indeed come to assist the Arcadians. Though I hold no love for the Coalition troops. I have been here before and assisted them and thought I would come see if my special set of skills could be useful to them." Then motioning to Alex, "And if one mechanic is good two are better."
Sithik continues to follow the rest of the group, still needing to hear from those in charge to finish his assessment of things, but with Leonard mentioning something of the attacks, he must ask the Mage. "What more do you know of the situation?"
"Every brain needs some brawn," Alex notes in agreement to Tek and Leonard. "And this place, is marvelous. I wish I could have come sooner. The things I could do here, the marvels one could build. A thing of true beauty." Clearly the robot is not seeing things for as they are, but as they were, and perhaps could be.
Inside the Bobcat Inn there is an elderly couple operating a desk, with a small sitting area - very nondescript these days - occupied by ten men in black jumpsuits. Two of them are in direct conversation with a middle-aged fellow with dark features, including a large mustache. His hat is literally in hand, and the few words loud enough to be picked up hold a significant Spanish accent. A young kid with a long board - perhaps a defensive club - greets the newcomers. Unfortunately for giant flying robots, this inn is not giant flying robot friendly with accessibility options.
Leonard enters the lobby and pauses. While he could interrupt the jump suited men and who he assumes is Falijero, he'll be polite for the moment.
Tek follows behind Leonard and upon seeing the men he raises his visor showing his face for the first time since getting to town. He remains silent but his expression shows that he recognizes the men.
Sithik steps inside the inn with the others, well the majority of the others. Having grown accustomed to his companion being barred from entry to public spaces, he does take a moment to have it sit and stay outside on the porch. Though not near the entrance, using a corner of the porch so not to make anyone nervous of its presence should they too want to hear what's going on in the meeting.
Alex is left outside as well, not as a piece of property left to the care of valet parking. But as a victim of standard architecture. So instead the robot makes a slow orbit of the structure to see if it might find a suitable vantage point from the exterior. Barring that it will just skip the boring politics and go find a blacksmith or mechanic.
There are no other places to peek in, this being a very rustic place. Of course, there's the second floor, where various interesting pieces of human interaction may be occurring. Otherwise, there are a few mechanics, though the concept of blacksmith is rather outdated. The kid at the door seems to be most interested in the lizard but the men inside are most interested in Leonard and Tek. So interested that the one obviously leading them waves and smiles. "Hey! You survived, beat us to the punch! Your 'master of everything magical' run off on you?" Despite the semi-ironic question, his words are pleasant enough, like conversation between equals. In this case, probably considered as mercenary equals. He adds on, "This guy's trying to low-ball us. Thinks we're a charity or something." With those words, the mustachioed man turns to look at the new arrivals. His low voice - in both tone and volume - is hopeful, "I'm Councilman Falijero, are you here to help?" Anything further is not elaborated at that particular moment of introduction.
"Yes, we survived, obviously, and, no, I'm right here... which is also obvious," is Leonard's smirking response to the smiling man. His attention subsequently turns to the councilman. "Yes, we are. Have any significant changes occurred in the past weeks? Did Gin pass along my questions? The motives of the creatures is still unknown, and would be very helpful in combating the problem."
Tek also addresses the councilman, "I am sorry I have not been able to come back sooner between visits. I have come once again to lend any help I can. Are there any weapons or systems that need repairs? I might possibly be able to tweak your power system to allow for more weapon connections to it. Is there anyone who can direct me to where you most have a need? I have brought another mechanic along with me as well though it is too large to fit inside the inn here."
Sithik still remains silent towards the back of things, and being it was a generalized question, he lets the others continue speaking for him for now. He is more interested in the others that have gathered in seek of work by what has been said so far.
Said mechanic is already seeing to being useful. Alex has found one of the local mechanics so it goes about perusing the work sheet to see what important matters need tending to while it waits for the others.
Falijero thanks both men promptly, turning his back on the other team - a team who seems to be snickering about something which goes unsaid as they take time to huddle up. "Gin relayed questions, yes. We still don't know where they're from, or why the creatures are so interested in us. It just... happened for no reason that we can tell. First the Coalition attacked us, killed our people, including Councilwoman Tyaany and destroyed buildings. I believe you were possibly there?" The Spanish accent and Spanish eyes glance to Tek. "We beat them out of town. It was only later that the beasts appeared, testing our defenses before starting their attacks. Then Prosek's men arrived again, and in such force that we couldn't even try to stop them - but they fell in line to defend us. We're just miners, none of this makes sense to us. Your name... Gin said, 'Leonard'?" He looks at the armored man. "And you?" Then to Sithik, even though he hasn't spoken. "You're here to help as well?" There are a number of industrial vehicles around that need repair, large dozers, drills and trucks. Falijero offers to Tek, "The Coalition is fighting the monsters, I suppose. But our power plant can always use tuning."
Leonard nods. "I am Leonard, but I was not present, though I wish that I were. You are fortunate, in a way, I suppose, that the invaders returned in force when they did-" His reply halts as a thought strikes, and he turns with a curt "Excuse me. I need to investigate a concern." Leonard exits the room abruptly and walks back along the street.
Tek nods to the Falijero before turning to Sithik, "I am going to start working on repairs. I trust you can find a way to be useful? Leonard might need some help... I am not sure. I am available on my radio if anyone needs me." With that Tek turns and heads out of the inn in search of the vehicles that were mentioned.
Sithik gives a bow of his head in answer to the Spanish man's direct question. "That is why I have come. What kinds of monsters have been troubling you?"
Alex picks the dozers to work on first. Evaluating them as the most potentially useful in protecting a town from siege. "This is quite the reversal," he notes to the mechanic. "Back when I worked at the Devil'ss Gate we were under siege there as well. Had the most advanced Coalition technology to work with. But still dozers and rams like these ones were in wide use to shore up fortifications." The robot explains as it gets to work on repairs.
Falijero first answer's Sithik's question, as it may be the most immediately important. "We don't know, they're... nothing like we've ever seen. No one who has been here has heard of them. Not even your friend," he says, gesturing to Leonard's departing form. "Monstrous animals that stand upright, walking creatures with giant tentacles, huge cats that move faster than you can aim... there are many." He waves toward the boundary. "If you want to see them, they're out there." Indeed, continuing noise from various firefights echoes through the air even at that moment. "It's the worst in the northeast, and no, we don't know why, and see no reason for it." Offering a sad shrug, Falijero asks, "Is there further that I can help you with? The trucks are useful, yes. But the monsters are a more immediate problem than resuming our mining efforts."
Sithik nods his head and turns to head out of the Inn, nothing is to be learned here of the problem, so to the front lines he goes. Calling his pet he quickly picks up his pace to a good run to get to the northeast where things are the heaviest.
"Oh yeah, I could go north for you folks and fight monsters," Alex confirms to the maybe unasked question. "But then who would fix these magnificent machines?" The robot asks, already past assess the repairs to one. "I can't fight forever after all. But if I fix these first, then I can fight and buy you people time to rebuild. To build bigger and better than before even," the machines boasts.
There continues to be fighting in the northeast, machines to be repaired and a power plant that the town lives off of. Otherwise, nothing has changed. Falijero has returned to the other mercenary group when the Kingsdale unit broke and departed the inn.
Tek makes his way around fixing vehicles here and there, as there are no major repairs needed so far that he has come across he ends up working on the power supply pretty quickly. He digs in and starts making modifications as soon as he gets there.
Sithik immediately begins to assess the combat going on, not breaking into the fighting right away. He first wants to determine what he is up against or where he can best aid those in the fighting already.
"I'm clearly going to have to diversify into weapons technology soon." Alex notes offhand as one dozer is ready to roll. "I mean I'd love to take the drill and make it a demon killing spear. But my skills aren’t quite up to that reality," it says as it continues to fix another great machine. "But maybe I can make some simpler aggressive changes. What sorts of terrain and opposition wait in the battle?" it then asks, looking to fine-tune its efforts.
As fighting continues all around, things should be clear enough, unless the cover of darkness is a problem. A large sits mountain to the northwest, with the safe boundary being pushed largely to the base of some small foothills in other areas. Opposition remains unknown to those not on the lines, save for to say that it is there.
Tek walks up to the dual core nuclear power plant and simply lays a hand on a part of its electrical system and concentrates for a moment before opening a radio channel, "Alex, if you have some time I could use your help getting their power system back to full capacity. Are you busy currently?"
Sithik gets a good assessment of the situation and decides to try and skirt the battlefield and get behind the lines. Activating his supernatural sight and making his way along the lines of fighting to find a decent spot to attempt his little ploy.
"What about the fliers?" Alex asks as it is told some more about the enemy. "Didn’t know about any fliers. But no matter, I have nothing I could build to meet them today," the robot states, finally finishing its repairs to be free to consider moving north. It calls for some villagers to drive the fixed machines north as well. "Let me draw their attention, then plow them into the great trees of the mountain.."
Where Sithik enters is actually relatively quiet compared to a much larger battle going on slightly along the south side of the northeast zone. Still, there is one creature making its way through the trees and toward the town. There is essentially no Coalition presence here at the moment, their focus on the larger incursion. It is walking upright with a slight stoop, so dark green as to be nearly black, blending into the background for those with only normal vision. Its scaled skin flaps in places almost like gills. It's very likely that someone coming upon this creature by accident would be quite taken aback.
Tek does not wait for Alex to begin his repairs but starts moving to the best starting position. After pulling open a panel Tek crawls into the crawl space and begins his work.
Sithik takes note of the strange creature hiding off in the shadows, quickly assessing if there are any others nearby before attempting to circle around it as his pet circles around to flush it out. Both stealthily creeping up on their prey, touching his broken chain in preparation of the grab.
The dozers are big, powerful, and slow. Dreadfully so, but Alex doesn’t let that hinder it over much. A quick scout of the way to the power plant to ensure they won't get blindsided is enough. It seems the robot there to assist Tek in double the time otherwise, but still faster than any other vehicle could offer. "Whats the diagnosis?" it asks of Tek on its arrival, sure the other mechanic already knows just what needs to be done.
Heavy fighting continues in the southern area of the northeast sector. Other skirmishes are going on all around the perimeter, but with lesser immediate violence. Darkness remains nearly complete due to both hour and weather. The mechanics and technicians on hand at the power plant are extremely happy, welcoming Tek's assistance. Alex is eyed, as the miners have never seen anything like it - but help is help, and they're glad to have it. For now, there are no airborne enemies, unless one was to count the dual SAMAS unit patrolling overhead.
Looking to Alex Tek says, "Ohh the usual... this puppy has been running at a hundred and fifty percent capacity for a good long while so it seems their mechanics have had to reroute around several burnt-out boards and several other major systems are running at less than full capacity. Can you go up to the top of the stacks and work on the outside conduits? There are several different issues up there. I am switching to channel 1470531alpha for any questions or suggestions on getting this baby back to her full potential. Sound good?"
Sithik decides to attempt to grapple the creature to allow his pet to come in and shred it with its claws. Creeping up on the prey, he lunges to take hold of the creature from behind to open it up to his pet's lunge.
"Well that won't due at all. They should damn a river or something for things like that," Alex notes as it floats up to the conduits. There the folly of the actions is clear and the robot goes about dismantling the conduits for repair or replacement. Nearly half get salvaged and reinstalled fairly quickly. The rest take longer as the robot has to dart back to the village for parts and return. Still the task is done in an hour.
Off in the northeast, in the dark of the woods, a creature is taken down under a flurry of blows that would have left another creature in little more than a pulp. It's quite dead, never even knowing what hit it. Repairs at the power plant go quickly, but still slowly depending on whose view of time seems more accurate. Fighting continues all around.
Tek moves from place to place moving through the power plant efficiently. Stripping redundant pieces from one system and using them in other areas where they are more needed. He also begins a list of needed parts so that on his next trip he can bring exactly what he needs for the system. To Tek it seems like the repairs are taking forever though to any other normal mechanic he is working twice as fast as normal.
Sithik leaves his dead prey there on the ground to rot for now, looking to creep deeper into enemy territory in hopes to find out what is controlling this onslaught. Cautiously he and his reptilian companion move through the forested terrain.
It's about that hour, when the sun begins to rise and the clouds start to break that the onslaught starts to push in harder from all sides - and even from the air. Four of the large pterodactyl-like creatures appear from the west, and the fighting around the southern northeast becomes heavier. Clearly, some kind of major pulse of beasts has hit the boundaries as Coalition grunts open fire in all areas.
Sithik continues to seek out the source of the beasts. Prowling through the forest behind the largest of the fighting in hopes it is there the source will be found. He has put some distance between he and his pet, having his pet trail behind him.
One of the Coalition units down at the primary battle fires as one, but the way that it shreds the trees is almost like something out of an ancient movie starring Arnold and Jesse Ventura. But at least as the saying goes, it could always have been worse.
A second unit blazes into the trees, causing a yelp to be heard, but nothing further.
One of the beasts finally emerges from the treeline, moving at nearly unimaginable speeds. Looking like a cat, but with a combination of fur and scales, it charges one of the units. Fortunately, good training allows the men and women to stand aside as it zips past harmlessly.
The blasts from the weapons don't actually do much to harm the creature, but the Zapper does put it on the ground, slightly confused. Not for very long, but it is momentarily stunned and earth-bound.
One of the SAMAS units gets very near to a hit at one of the Leatherwings - creatures that are clearly homing in on the power plant and the technicians swarming it, looking for some kind of defense.
This time when another one of the speedy cats charges a unit, things don't go as smoothly. The entirety of the small command is nearly wiped out in an instant, and the cat is now within the perimeter, but not lost and confused like the first one.
The Leatherwing attacking the plant takes a minor hit, and circles around.
A third cat roars out of the trees, the Coalition grunts barely parting in time.
The diving attacker is wounded, and hard. The damage isn't very significant in the grand scheme of things, but it does cause the creature to wheel about, stunned for a moment.
Alex is a rock in the might river of battle. The current of enemies swept aside as they crash against the machine. Or so it likes to think, striking two out of three. And then it's time to take the offensive so Alex bears on the foe that it just cut a chunk from. The robot's grapple arm shoots out to take hold of the creature's neck and reel it back in for another cut.
The grapple hand flies true, clenching around the neck of the flying beast to pull with a definite yank. Alex zips by immediately after, intend on another cut. But by fate or dumb luck the creature hits the arm of the plasma torch just before, turning it up into itself in a gout of sparks and charred metal. Afterward the tool hangs gutted and useless..
After finishing repairs on the power plant Tek finds a position with some cover and begins defending the newly repaired plant from the flying Leatherwings. His Zapper Gun seems to have missed more than connected so far but he continues regardless of his lack of soldiering skills.
Another massive reptilian cat comes from the forest, attacking the troops out of Whykin, with tooth, nail and tail it shreds its way through an entire unit, leaving very little left in its wake. The few that remain are battered and unlikely to get back into the fight.
The situation around Arcadia is suddenly horribly more dire than only minutes before. Four supernaturally-fast cat-beasts are inside the perimeter, and Leatherwings are swooping from the sky to attack the power plant. The power plant that supplies all of the energy for the town's small defensive systems. Technicians are swarming to grab weapons, but the miners' fire is largely ineffective. This is compounded by the fact that large, but lesser attacks are now pressing on all sides. Even the Coalition is being depleted.
Sithik continues creeping through the forest behind enemy lines to find the source. Cut of its head and the rest should scatter is his thought on it. As long as the soldiers do their job, he should be able to finish his. Hopefully it will be in time before too many are killed, right now it's not looking like it though.
Once more, the first Coalition unit manages to spread just in time for a cat to plow through, this time heading for the trees before it skids to a halt, roaring into the sky with animal rage.
The caught creature, grabbed by Alex's arm makes a swipe at the close by target with its talons.
Finally, one of the Coalition's airborne units gets a hit, firing on the one hit earlier by Alex. The beast flaps backwards underneath the hail of railgun rounds, but this may have only made it more angry.
The other Leatherwing starts to circle the power plant. Even to the miners, it's clear that it is setting up for some kind of unusual attack.
Again, a supernaturally-fast cat manages to be defeated by the swift movement of a well trained Coalition unit.
The next cat is better, but not as lucky as others, bounding into the unit, but not causing as much death as its brethren. The professional soldiers manage to hang on.
The remaining flying creature's circle becomes a dive, aimed at the giant floating robot that hit it so hard earlier. An angry animal is a mean animal.
Alex's shovel arm whirls to bat one then another Leatherwing aside. While a third seems intent on a devastating attack on the plant. And the robot still has hold of one. The grapple arm going slack to give Alex the range to intercept the one preparing to dive Alex zips away to strife it with vibropick, chainsaw, and laser cutter
The creature is struck, and hurt and possibly slightly confused at the sight of Alex. However, it's still just an animal. The exciting and unusual weapons bite into its flesh, but not deeply.
Tek moves beside the power plant to a pile of salvage and begins assembling something. He seems to be hurrying but his attention does not falter he seems completely unconcerned about the flying threat though it surely looks like he is in a terribly vulnerable position.
The wrath of the final cat devastates the remaining troops who were on the line in the northeast sector. All that stands between hostile wilderness and the juicy, ripe center of Arcadia is... nothing on the ground.
If there is any bright spot, it's that one of the overhead SAMAS units gets a hard hit on the creature about to - presumably - dive on the power plant. It doesn't turn and flee, but its attack is clearly done, without having started.
As the Coalition defense collapses in the northeast, some of the other units begin to pull back toward the center of town to give themselves a greater density of firepower, a more easily defended area. This means that both structures and people are left without any support at all as they withdraw. Various outbuildings and even closer ones are left to the advances of the creatures, creatures who are now even coming in from the south. In the north, the cats are menacing everything. The Leatherwings, fortunately, have turned out to be less of an issue. Of course, now that there is no boundary, who's to say what might happen. Miners are doing one of two things. Either dropping their weapons to scramble alone into the areas to rescue trapped Arcadians, or falling back and gathering those same weapons to add to the line.
Sithik determines this is a very bad situation. Activating his ability to fly he soars into sight of the coming onslaught, maybe they will break after him as he tries to skirt around their edges to enrage as many as he can to lay chase in the direction they came from, trying to stay out of reach but not outdistance them.
Still finding itself stuck with Alex's grapple, the trapped Leatherwing heads off toward its captor, flapping and trailing chain.
The SAMAS unit taking the lead of the pair decides that teaming up with a giant floating robot is a good idea. It takes aim and fires off two long bursts from its famous railgun. The rounds shred into the creature, destroying much of its chest. It falls from the sky, only to start hobbling its way randomly around near the power generator.
With essentially nothing to hold them back, the four speedy cats are running through what used to be town, tearing up property and catching those who had been unfortunately out in the open when the defensive lines collapsed.
Over a wideband radio frequency, Falijero can be heard calling for anyone to assist them. They have a large transmitter here, as their only real contact with the outside world other than the dangerous Run and Junction. Other Council voices add their desperate please to the region, including Gin, whose name Leonard had mentioned.
Alex is doing fine, not sure that can be said for the rest of the place though. "Dozers, roll on their advance line!!" The robot orders in speakers that could warn of a tsunami. Those same speakers then work to emulate a dragon's roar so to startle the enemy.. And it still has one enemy in hand so to speak. Alex rushes to meet it head on, grapple reeling in to hold it there as the robot slashes with three tools.
Once more, the animal takes some slices, but also continues to be very angry and very active at its captor.
Tek starts making an underlying base frame for what looks like an improvised anti-aircraft gun. He has tied four fairly high-powered energy weapons together and run the controls down to a double handled firing mechanism. He will align them and even has a rudimentary aiming system. Around the outside he has used large heavy plates from several broken down trackers and what not to add defensive plating to the weapon system. Several long reinforced cords are tied together to make electrical long enough to get tied into the power system.
The Arcadians, in their attempt to defend the crucial power facility, fire randomly into the air - or at least, that's what professionals would call it. Anyone in the area has an unfortunate chance of being hit, including both Coalition airborne units and Alex. A veritable mass-humanity shotgun of laser and the occasional plasma weapon.
The other SAMAS unit attempts to be helpful, aiming at Alex's pet and blasting it once with its primary weapon. Large chunks fall from the wounded creature, but a gust of wind sends the next line of rounds off into the nether regions of Arcadia.
The changing scene isn't doing much changing anymore. Advancing creatures, falling back humans and D-Bees. Some heroism in attempted rescues. Calls by the Council for anyone in the region to help. "Anyone, please! Your demands will be met, you must save us!"
Alex mutters, too distracted by its roaring to avoid the fire of the refugees. The scores in its hull smolder only briefly though before repair bots start to erase the misguided effort. Meanwhile the robot is still tight with one leather wing, so it slashes again.
The creature is slashed once more, but continues to fight its chain and the chain's owner.
The lead SAMAS unit adds its fire to Alex's cutting implements, with the dedicated weapon proving to be the key to killing something. This is why you have standing armies, not standing Mechanic's Unions. The dead animal's full weight falls down, yanking on the chain to which it remains attached.
The Arcadians continue to fire off in all directions, being perhaps flashing, but totally ineffective. Cries continue over the radio, easily reaching the major cites; Whykin, Kingsdale and even the surprisingly close Coalition compound at Devil's Gate.
Sithik gains an eerie red aura that appears like wisps of heat emanating from his body, still trying to antagonize the creatures as a tasty little morsel he launches a fireball at mass of trees to set them ablaze among the sea of creatures.
After getting the weapon put together the underlying structure he originally chose can't support the weight of the protective metal plating. So he has to take that portion apart again and put in a more sturdy counterpart. Using the plasma cutter that is built into his armor and the robotic arm doing so is quick work.
Sithik's fireball does indeed catch and light, but it's just one flame among a huge area. Some creatures do, however, take note.
Now that there are no further aerial creatures, the SAMAS unit simply starts to orbit the area previously outlined by the initial boundary. It could be a scout or reconnaissance, it's difficult to tell. It could just be bored.
The cats continue to destroy life and property. More calls for help are sent out. Now it's not just regionally, but locally, calling for people to attempt rescues before the first protected zone is completely overrun, should everything fail.
Only a handful of creatures are actually distracted by Sithik's fire, but enough of them are distracted that they move in an unruly mass of various types of beasts toward the origin of the fireball. They are stymied by Sithik's flight, putting him safely out of reach, or at least it seems that way for the moment.
'Airfield superiority is no thing to squander' Alex would remark to the dawdling SAMAS pilot with a yanking grapple. But the robot doesn’t want more attention from the CS. So instead it bears down on the closest monster feline. But the cat is nearly ten seconds away at max speed and this snapshot only gives five.
The other SAMAS, the one that seemed to be the lead unit also takes up a meandering path over the battlefield, swooping now and then only to fend off the most ferocious attacks against its own Coalition-backed lines.
Another mass of creatures breaks into the open, having passed Sithik's fire. With nothing to stop them, they begin to spread out. Some of the more human-style creatures even make their way towards structures almost as if they too are looking for a spot at the inn, or something from the general store. Most of the other beasts are far less hospitable.
Whee! Or, 'Aaaah!' the Arcadians continue to blast away in all directions. Maybe it's keeping a few monsters at bay, but it isn't exactly fine tactics.
Sithik isn't going to find out if the stymied creatures can figure out range. He keeps moving above them not letting them sit still if they want to catch him, it's a chase after all. Launching two more firebolts, one in the path of the forward progressing creatures en route to the village to set fire to the forest itself and maybe get their attention on him as well, the other, into the air as a signal flare to mark the location. If it's seen that is.
Tek finishes redoing the structural integrity and then starts dragging the reinforced electrical cord over to the power station and ties it in before moving back to test out its strength and accuracy.
Now it finally happens, the major structures start to go. One of the speedy cat-reptilians plows into the corner of the general store, ripping out a huge gash of wooden planks. It manages to hold together, but also exposes what must be "Phantom Tom" and his family, who go scurrying for the potential cover of the second floor. Their mouths are moving, likely crying for help, but the noise of the battle silences it to the ears. The SAMAS units continue to remain largely in some kind of aerial patrol, rarely engaging anything on the ground, and the Arcadian radios continue to call for desperate assistance from anyone in the region.
Near Sithik, one creature that somewhat resembles a gurgoyle - but clearly isn't - raises its tail toward Sithik's flying form. A mass slops its way down through the tail as if it were a hose, and eventually a bright bulb of fiery hot material is shot out directly at the tattooed man in the sky.
Alex is not above the laws of physics. It could not possibly stop before it reaches the cat at this speed. So it doesn't. It just bowls right into the feline and worries about stopping after. Its durable shovel arm leading the way.
The animal sees the big robot coming, and with animalistic intelligence decides not to do anything but fight back. It might get bowled over, but it's going to get its paws on Alex one way or another.
Its efforts are in vain, though as one of the SAMAS units decides to swoop past, perhaps only to inspect Alex. The net effect is that the cat is distracted and knocked over.
The mass of creatures inside the first, broken boundary continues its rampage, and people continue to call for assistance, even simple rescue is desperately wanted.
The Arcadianas finally manage to pour enough fire onto something that it could be considered a 'hit.' Fortuitously, the same creature that Alex just knocked over. It doesn't seem to phase the animal, but it probably gave them a morale boost.
Sithik flies in and among the upper branches of the trees trying to us them as a natural scrub brush for this sticky flaming goo. Maybe this will work better to signal the village, maybe it will help get the forest burning, either way the upper branches shouldn't slow him down very much as he barrels through launching two more bolts, these firing into one of the creatures to test their strength.
One creature that looks vaguely like it should be named a 'land squid' takes the hit, doesn't seem impressed, and though it jumps a few times at Sithik, eventually moves back toward the sound of gunfire and the smell of fresh meat.
Tek gets behind the controls of his newly put together weapon and scans the immediate area and takes aim on one of the fast moving cat like creatures before opening up with everything it has, all four heavy energy weapons coming to bear at the same time as he strafes the area.
One of the four huge cats goes down, its body charred and split by the fire from Tek's cobbled weapon. However, two blasts are plenty to bring the attention of the area's beasts back to the power plant.
The mass of creatures that had been looking at Sithik now loses interest, and begins to move back into the borders, moving largely west-southwest. Other creatures continue to come from the trees, almost looking like fire ants overrunning a competing hive at this point.
Alex is quick to recover from its charge on the demon feline. Much quicker than the feline. It then reaches out with its shovel arm to clamp around the feline's tail in a manner sure to kink it. "Einy meany miney moe, catch a tiger by the tail.." The robot chants and if successful takes off back into the sky, cat in tow..
The open area between the previous boundary and the new defensive line looks like a battlefield overrun by breaking soldiers. In this case, they're more mindless beasts, but they number in the high hundreds, with no end in sight. Smaller structures are being damaged or even destroyed. The larger ones are small islands of safety where a few reminding Arcadians are desperately holding out for rescue before their lives are snuffed out. The miners are doing their best to defend the core, but are ineffective. The Coalition is doing a decent job of keeping the line at this point, even though the two overhead SAMAS units are simply orbiting the perimeter. Tek is up near the power plant with a devastating, if not makeshift weapon. Alex has just bowled over a large cat-reptile, while Sithik is toying with the huge column of creatures that in his particular area at least, are rambling in from the northeast.
Sithik realizes this mass is not something he is going to be able to impact alone. Quickly the hunter picks up speed flying toward the place this army is marching from, he has got to find the source of this army.
One of the free cats continues its rampage, getting ever closer to the new defensive line.
After taking down one of the mutant cats Tek quickly scans the area before aiming in on the next threat, which seems to be a mass of smaller creatures. To which Tek opens up the newly pieced-together weapon to full-automatic and sprays the crowd trying to slow their progress and take out some of them in the effort as well.
The blast is devastating, mowing down creature after creature from a cobbled-together rain of fire. For the moment, the area immediately around the power plant is safe.
The line of creatures coming in from Sithik's area break into the open, shambling around semi-randomly in the open air, taking fire from the Coalition soldiers, going down here and there.
Order among the grunts suddenly falls apart, at least for a crucial few seconds where their shots go largely astray. However, small units of a dozen men and women start to force their way toward the trapped Arcadians. Something that one can't help but thing would be seen as a heroic gesture.
More creatures pour into the field.
The Arcadians continue to pour out quantity, but not quality of laser bursts.
The other free cat also starts to charge the mass of humanity.
The caught animal is momentarily stunned, but won't be for long.
The battle is not going terribly well. Masses of creatures are moving forth, and people are dying. The power plant is free, but in other areas Coalition soldiers are forcing out small bubbles to rescue people like "Phantom Tom" and his family. Continuing radio calls go out for assistance, but this time rather than being stuck and answered with nothing, Coalition codes and voices can be heard trying to reach the Council.
Up upo and urk.. Alex's engines give and give, but the feline is just too much additional weight. The robot itself is nearly 5000 lbs after all. Though surely the few seconds of tugging on its tail like that must have been excruciating. Unsatisfied Alex stops trying to lift but keeps hold as it turns to lash out on the overweight feline with blades. Maybe it can cut off a few pounds.
This same caught animal tries the same animal-intelligence defense as before. That is, no defense, just turning on its attacker, and attacking back with giant claws.
Sithik concentrates on finding the end of the largest mass of creatures shambling through the forest. Flying as fast as he can to find the end of this mass to track them back to where they came from. Using altitude to get a bigger view of the terrain and mass below.
Tek maintains guard on the precious power plant, knowing that if it falls then the whole community will fall. Not seeing anything in range the weapon stays quiet for the moment, though Tek is scanning for any potential threat.
Neither of the airborne units seem to care about anything, though now that the Coalition bubbles reaching out to trapped Arcadians are on the move, they have begun to offer forward air support, which allows those units to keep moving fairly rapidly.
After that one lack of concentration, the professional soldiers bring their weapons to bear again, stopping an attack by squid-like creatures in their tracks.
Gunfire from the miners is trailing off, possibly due to lack of ammunition, lack of will or something else. One young man, one of the technicians who had been assisting Tek hurries up behind him, L-20 in hand. However, it's not the rifle that's important, rather a small recording device is handed over with the words, "Please, remember what's happened here." After that rather cryptic announcement, he runs back to his post.
Perhaps calling for a victory dance, the beast with the grabbed tail enjoys the fact that it just sliced its enemy, and swipes two more paws at its captor, fangs barred, tail whipping as much as it can whip. Seems as if there's no end of the creature that isn't dangerous.
Over the broadband, Falijero and other voices can be heard, possibly negotiating with the Coalition, and definitely thanking them up and down for bravery in their rescue attempts.
"If he hollers let him go!" Alex had gotten the picture after the first pair of swipes raked gouges in its armored hull. The second digs even deeper and Alex gladly lets go to be free of the beast and leave it to someone else to deal with. Instead the robot looks for an opponent that lacks claws..
There are more than enough creatures out there that lack claws. But most of them get replaced by tentacles, or teeth, or tail. Sometimes the occasional fire-breathing and other exciting bits. People continue to wave for help as some of the initial Coalition rescue groups reach the closest structures. Of course, it's the ones closest to the trees who are in the most dire straits.
Sithik goes back down to skim the treetops heading to the northeast, at speeds of up to 90 miles per hour, a lot of ground can be covered and still no end to this army in sight. It doesn't look good from his point of view, but he is still determined to find out where all of this comes from.
Seeing no real threats to the power plant, Tek looks around the area, spotting some of the large mining equipment. A few quick words from the unique mechanic get some of the armed men into the seats of the dozers and such, powering them up.
The two SAMAS units continue to provide air support to the bubble rescue units.
The inner line of the Coalition defense holds, despite the mass of un-humanity facing them.
The miners are at this point essentially not fighting with any useful ranged weapons. It may have been an abrupt change, but it's done, one way or another. In theory, they may have been told to stop shooting so as not to accidentally hit the rescue teams.
Ferocious animals growl at Alex's unusual hovering form, particularly the one that struck it. However, when the immediate problem is out of sight and out of mind, they move back to brawling.
Armed with little more than fists and nothing, the Arcadians shuffle about behind the line.
Alex can tell it's no match for a single cat. Let alone the packs that are encroaching on the town. So instead of pretending to be a fighter the robot instead looks to being a hero. People need rescuing. The machine can't defeat their attackers, but it can ferry four or five of them to safety at a time..
Sithik disappears from the immediate region of the battle seeking and end to this army.
The truckers that Tek encouraged are now rolling out of the staging area with their huge pieces of mining equipment.
The Coalition's defense suddenly becomes accurate, picking single large targets rather than general shooting into the mass. The enormous cat that had given Alex such wounding goes down in small pieces.
Tek looks around, and seeing nothing deadly within range of his incredibly powerful jury-rigged cannon, goes to hop into one of the plasma-blazing mine-clearing units.
Airborne support continues from the SAMAS units, even though they have taken a few hits from the strange fireballs similar to the one that struck Sithik.
There are a number of very grateful Arcadians rescued by Alex. Happy and crying with safety as they are taken behind the line. They become a bit more subdued however, up on landing. Still, at least they're alive, and Alex is praised for it up and down.
About all Alex can do at this point is rescue as many as it can. So as soon as the first load is off the robot returns to the fray to take up a second load.
The truckers and other pieces of equipment mow down masses of the smaller beasts. Unfortunately, they seem to be replaced as soon as they die.
Again, the professional defenders finally pick another singular target, a cat-reptillian that had taken shots from the Arcadians before. It almost lives - but doesn't.
Tek starts to roll out his plasma miner, heading straight for the city center to aid in its immediate defense.
After more long minutes of fighting, with Alex ferrying stranded survivors, Tek burning his way through beasts and to the city center, and the Coalition blasting specific targets, the fight suddenly gets worse. Even larger creatures burst from the trees. Over the broadband radio can be heard the five members of the Council, each saying, "I agree," in turn. Then, in what can't have been more than ninety seconds later, the region is swarmed. Not with supernatural monsters, but with the Coalition. All new gear, from the lowest sidearm to high level bombers and tanks. Most of Arcadia's taken region is wiped out beneath heavy weaponry, leaving it pockmarked and cratered. Further machines instantly target the northeast with enormous precision. After no more than fifteen minutes, the attack from the monsters is over. When the smoke clears, the center of Arcadia is free, as are the crucial mines to the north, which have been completely untouched by not even a stray grenade.
Alex can only count how many he saved once the smoke has cleared. This tactic of the Coalition is all to clear. The States would not invest so much to protect land that was not its own. A deal has clearly been cut in desperation, and the implications may be beyond all of them.
As startled as he may be by the military onslaught, Tek jumps in to assist with the immediate Arcadian equipment necessary to sustain the town.
The smoking field begins to be patrolled by both new and old Coalition units. Unlikely that there'd be anything left alive, but they're making sure. Alex had saved dozens and dozens of Arcadians before the massive strike hit. Near town hall - a battered and bruised building - the Five are gathered outside speaking to Coalition officers.
The battle done Alex starts towards the town hall. Was a reward offered for this? The machine does not recall. It will surely need one, its repair bots having taken care of the battle scars to make it like new again. But they are not free. Then there is the matter of its plasma cutter..
For now, the soldiers allow Tek to go about his business, particularly when he focuses on the communications equipment. There are a few very minor mop-up skirmishes down in the south. Shortly, Arcadia is as safe as it has ever been.
The Five are starting to look tired, but not yet completely downtrodden. One of the new Coalition rotary-craft lands nearby, with an officer jumping out with authority, striding toward city hall. Alex arrives in town and waits patiently for his audience. Or eavesdrops discreetly, whatever. Hovering about and looking to see if anything might be salvaged while it waits.
Sithik returns some time after the major portion of the battle that turned the tides in favor of the Arcadians. He may have missed the fighting, but he doesn't come back empty-handed. With what he learned he seeks out the counsel members first, unless stopped by soldiers as he enters landing in the village.
Anyone trying to approach the Five and the officers speaking to them is likely going to be stopped. Likely turns to absolutely when it's a tattooed man. Four armed guards form a small horseshoe of defense. "Please turn around, sir, this is an Arcadian matter that doesn't concern you." The officer - a high-ranking commander, for those who might see the lapels - makes his way into the discussion, obviously taking immediate control.
Alex gains more purpose as Sithik returns. Its orbit closing about him and the guards the block the path. "An Arcadian matter. We fought valiantly for the Arcadian matter. Now you would deny us its outcome?" The robot mutters.
Tek goes about his business, repairing a small local generator.
Sithik stops his approach when soldiers bar his way. "Then perhaps the counsel does not wish to know the source of their trouble." He doesn't seem to care either way. Before he turns to leave the commander's area of occupation, he looks to the robot, "Did Tek make it through the fight?" Here, a hint of concern comes out in his tone.
"Absolutely not. The outcome is that Arcadia has been saved, and its people once more free to live their lives as they see fit, safe in the knowledge that anywhere they choose to erect a home, they may sleep safely," one of the lower-ranking officers replies. Even points back to the Run, or at least, what used to be a monster-infested Run, long before any of these recent matters. Now it is a line of burning trees and craters. "Not only did we save them, but we improved their quality of life, as they're no longer cut off from the outside world. They're free to trade their ore at higher outputs than ever before." That said, he returns to the discussion. A few children, smudged with soot and wearing torn clothes run in Alex's direction, calling out happy names and words of appreciation for saving them - in kid verbiage, of course. A bunch of them want 'another ride!' It's amazing, the resilience of young minds. No comment is made by anyone on Sithik's words. They are ignored, or heard and processed without further questions.
"I would hear of the source," Alex says clearly. "It would help to prepare for another attack," it notes before the child ambush appears. The robot stalls some, letting the children take their time to climb on and giving quick half-spins for their amusement while it waits for Sithik's reply.
Sithik starts to makes his way off, but gestures for the robot to follow. It's a slow pace, so the entourage of little ones can follow along as well to enjoy the amusement ride. "I am unfamiliar with the territory, so I could not name it, but the source is from the northeast. Well defended."
The officer who spoke before walks back to Alex. "Where do any of these creatures come from? Rifts? Summoning? Migration? It's for this very reason that we exist, to protect people from these unfortunate bouts of bad luck or deliberate attacks by mages. The Federation of Magic is only fifty miles away," he floats out with a concerned shoulder shrug. "Clearly, an obvious source." Back closer to the hall, the Council is nodding along, listening to the words of the Coalition commander.
Alex pays no attention to the yes man and his propaganda. It all sounds peachy until you're in a box headed for Chi-town for dismantling. "Well defended? So the demons have a base?" Alex asks for further clarification between spins. "And yes, Tek is fine, over there fixing things."
Sithik is not talking to the soldier, he didn't want to know, so be it. Let him guess. As they continue towards the original battle lines, particularly, the area he thinks he left his pet behind. "I am unsure if it was a base. What I saw, looked like these guys," motioning to one of the CS soldiers. "I took off before they could lay chase. Too many for one man to consider attack."
"Sir, ma'am, Emperor Prosek has brought this continent a system that is a beacon of safety. When a location is troubled for any reason, it is our sworn duty to put our lives on the line to protect civilian human life. In this case, some D-Bee life that lives among them as well. They will be defended as appropriate and necessary with an eye on the Federation at all times. We will not allow such a tragedy to occur again." A nod is given, and words are spoken with mirth. "Perhaps your... hardware is faulty? Monsters such as these don't have 'bases' as you say. They may have a magical point of origin however, clearly possible with the Federation, and it is that and any other possibility we are defending against. Do you take umbrage with the safety of the miners and their livelihood?" He allows the two to move off without comment, if it's to be that way.
The answer is all too clear to Alex but it remains mute. The battle is won after all and the children want a ride. So it can do naught but oblige and tour the town, and the path the monsters took. Then it can satisfy everyone's curiosity.
Sithik heads further out into the battlefield, eventually getting to a point the children will most likely get uncomfortable continuing should the robot follow in the hunter's mission to find his companion, dead or alive. The terrain being much different with the blasting to hell of everything and anything, but he does his best to find the path he took.
The battlefield is indeed scarred and smashed, but little kids like rides, particularly on something they've never seen before. Whee! Eventually of course, everything gets old. The kids start to slide off to go play somewhere else, leaving Alex free to move along. A massive flying transport enters from the southeast, landing and disgorging all manner of construction equipment that practically hits the ground rolling directly into repair of the cratered ground, pushing dirt here, digging up rocks there. One can't help but applaud Coalition logistics. The ground will be level and suitable for normal building within only a few days, if it keeps up at this pace. That can't help but make points with the citizens. The line leading northeast is also a bombed out wasteland nearly a half mile across, leading on for perhaps thirty miles before thinning and thinning back into lush Missouri forest. There are likely to still be creatures, as nothing has a perfect kill ratio. But they would be far and between, scattered in fright.
Out of the mouths of babes. Alex could continue north and find something it does not really want to but to what end? The town is safe now. And that should be all there is to it. By the time all these children are grown it will hardly matter. So long as they will get to grow. So Alex turns back to let the matter drop. And pick up those he'd let off earlier should they care for it.
Sithik begins calling out in Dragonese, the equivalent of 'HEY!' in American, which seems to be the creature's name as those that have observed him in the past, this word precedes all verbal commands given to the pet. The further he walks into the mayhem's remains, the more he keeps repeating this. Sometimes the single word turns to the phrase, 'HEY! COME!' Soon the battered creature comes limping into a clearing from a hiding place it found to try and keep safe after its initial wounding.
The children would ride all day, if they could. Rotations of excitement and boredom. More military equipment flies in from the southeast, precious gear being dropped on a small town in the middle of nowhere. There's a clear mix of emotion among the Arcadians, both happy and wary of the Coalition. The Five eventually break up after all of them sign a digital pad. Tek finishes up with the local power converter, patting his jacket to make sure that the strange recorder given to him in combat is still in his possession, and intact. Fortunately, the armored Land Rover had been driven close enough to city hall that it survived the bombing. It is now approaching sundown after an eventful day, but there is no longer any free inn to stay at. It would seem that whatever has happened here, is finished for now. A battle perhaps, but a war? That remains to be seen.
